Nancy J. VanHouten , 84, of rural South Whitley, died peacefully in the company of family at 6:11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at her home.

Born on June 29, 1941, at the St Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was the daughter of the late Harry and Hazel (Coble) Shank.  Growing up in Cleveland Twp., she graduated from South Whitley High School in 1959 and was in 4-H for 10 years and was an assistant leader for some of that time.

For many years, she worked at Lincoln Life in Fort Wayne in the administrative office.

On October 26, 1968, she married Robert Ronald VanHouten.  They have always made their home in Cleveland Twp.

In addition to her work at Lincoln Life for 12.5 years, she was a meticulous bookkeeper for her husband's business.  At home, she enjoyed sewing and assisting her husband with the annual garden by canning and freezing the produce.  She liked to shop for new clothes and was a regular at Shipshewana and its flea market.  Maintaining their country home, she liked to mow the grass and keep the house neat and tidy.  She and her husband would often visit Pigeon Forge, TN, and Indiana's Brown County.  She liked to relax with a good Amish romance novel.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert, and nieces, Melissa (Kurt) Keeney of Columbia City, Angela (Michael) Poor of Columbia City, Tambra Simmons of Columbia City, nephews, Casey (Siu) Van Houten of Ontario, California, Nathan (Deb) Van Houten of East Jordan, Michigan and Tobias Van Houten of South Whitley

She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Richard Dean Shank.

The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 3rd at Smith & Son's Miller Chapel, South Whitley.  Burial is at the South Whitley Cemetery.  Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Stillwater Hospice. 5910 Homestead Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46814